Artificial Intelligence

Aside from some massively complex challenges, retailer and consumer packaged goods marketers have never had it so good, according to Bob Fair, president of marketing applications

Northwest Arkansas isn’t the first place that comes to mind when the phrase “hotbed of start-up activity” is uttered, but organizers of a first-of-its-kind technology summit are looking to change that perception.

On November 10, more than 800 people are expected to gather at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers, Ark., for the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit, an event organized by the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Arkansas Council.

Start-ups looking to revolutionize retail have a significant new opportunity for support.

Spoken word is the oldest form of human communication.

It’s also one of the newest technology trends enabling omnichannel retail. Voice-based communications are having on a dramatic impact on how retailing is seamlessly executed. Here are three key areas where voice is supporting omnichannel operations across the retail enterprise.

Picking

Spoken word is the oldest form of human communication. It’s also one of the newest technology trends enabling omnichannel retail.

Voice-based communications are having on a dramatic impact on how retailing is seamlessly executed. Here are three key areas where voice is supporting omnichannel operations across the retail enterprise.

Starbucks Corp. is reportedly seeing value in a new addition to its drive-through order windows.

According to Bloomberg, Starbucks is rolling out video screens to 2,400 drive-through lanes in stores across the U.S. during the next 12 months. In one major differentiator from the drive-through screens found at many quick service chains, Starbucks screens will feature a real-time audio/video feed of the barista taking the order.

Images of items the customer orders will appear on the screen to ensure they are placed correctly.

Whole Foods Market and a key technology partner are creating a new retail platform that the retailer promises will be unlike anything on the market.

In a partnership that Whole Foods said will “redefine retail management software,” the supermarket company is partnering with cloud-based business application provider Infor to develop a new enterprise platform called Infor Cloudsuite Retail. The retailer hopes to make a profit of the comprehensive, cloud-based retail suite by selling it to other retailers.